Opinions on ATA and Aloha Air!

I would like to hear some opinions from people that have flown on these airlines!

We have booked many trips with Expedia over the years and been very pleased with prices and service.

We have been checking flights to Maui for May 23,2008 and return on May 30,2008 non-stop.

The best two are ATA of which I know nothing and Aloha that we never flew on.

My family(3) we can book for total of $1731.00 on Aloha out of Sacramento or out of Oakland for $1700.01 total.

We can book ATA out of Oakland for $1566.00 total.

We again this time looked at II Travel and found with their discounts to me it cost about $57.00 more for the three of us to book with them on most flights.

What a waste of time with II Travel!There only price that was cheaper was the ATA out of Oakland and it was $4.70 less per ticket,big deal!

I have read post on other sites of people waiting until Feb to get cheaper tickets to Hawaii and really not sure about that idea. I have also checked seating and not much available now so unless more flights are added can not see cheaper flights.

phill12 stated: >> I would like to hear some opinions from people that have flown on these airlines! << ====================================== Phil: I have flown on both of these airlines in recent years, without any issues or problems in either case. Both are no frills operations, but you're looking for transportation --- not a coddling spa experience. My recommendation would be to find the best prices and availability you can today and book it now! Personally, I wouldn't want to gamble on the risk or uncertainty of (only maybe) later finding "last minute deals" when family vacation plans are involved. Also, petroleum prices are heading nowhere but up for the foreseeable future, and airlines will just pass those increases right along to passengers via ticket pricing. Peace of mind has some inherent value of its own too...

ken1193 wrote:

I have flown on both of these airlines in recent years, without any issues or problems in either case. Both are no frills operations, but you're looking for transportation --- NOT A CODDLING SPA EXPERIENCE.

LOLOLOL ... too funny Ken !. We fly with Southwest and Allegiant Airlines that have absolutely no frills. All we want to do is get from point A to point B. Southwest does offer snacks and peanuts, but I decline the peanuts for obvious reasons. With Allegiant, you have to pay for any snacks or soft drinks. We love both of those no frills Airlines.

When we flew with Southwest, I was always comparing ticket prices from day to day even after purchasing. At that time they didn't penalize a passenger for cancelling a flight and buying cheaper tickets, however I believe they may now charge a fee for that convenience. Any left-over monies were put in an account to use for future flights with Southwest. I did this many times.

ken1193 phill12 stated: >> I would like to hear some opinions from people that have flown on these airlines! << ====================================== [=ken1193} I have flown on both of these airlines in recent years, without any issues or problems in either case. ====================================== Ken, my list is first a pilot, seats and bathroom! After this everything else is a bonus.

I thought of booking for a little more out of Sacramento because its so easy in and out.

Looking at this ATA Airlines being so cheap sounds great but never heard anything about them.

Even though we only fly non-stop I looked at all flights. What I found was many of these stop overs and the airline puts you on this ATA for second leg of your flight.

Remember old days when you walk on Delta and walk off a Delta at other end of trip.

I think your right about buying tickets now because it is Hawaii and start of summer months!

ken1193 wrote:

I have flown on both of these airlines in recent years, without any issues or problems in either case. Both are no frills operations, but you're looking for transportation --- NOT A CODDLING SPA EXPERIENCE.

{PHILL12] Ken you never know! A spa sounds good and a massage!

I went ahead and paid more to fly out of Sacramento on Aloha Air non-stop! Called and they even gave us our choice of seating to and from Maui!

I had a long talk with II Travel. Maryann was great and explained that they get many II members upset because they think this is set just for II members. They are a full travel agency that handles II members request along with their regular business and this is why their price breaks not as good as other sites most of the time. There is also some kind of connection with them and Expedia even though there different agencys.

I also asked her about these worthless discounts with Hertz and American Air and was told the agreement with these companies was great at one time . Said they are way out of line and she tells members to try other car rentals that are better deals.

She booked us with Alamo with cheapest price for full size car.

She said that the travel agency is cutting ties with both Hertz and American because of the bad deals. From what she said the two companies will just be part of their list and no discounts that push II members toward them.

We decided to grab air now and not hope to save couple bucks later. Probably wouldn't happen with non-stops to Maui anyway!

ATA I guess doesn't fly out of Sac and we like flying out of there for many reasons that all make your trip easier!

phill12

ken1193 wrote:

I have flown on both of these airlines in recent years, without any issues or problems in either case. Both are no frills operations, but you're looking for transportation --- NOT A CODDLING SPA EXPERIENCE.

{PHILL12] Ken you never know! A spa sounds good and a massage!

I went ahead and paid more to fly out of Sacramento on Aloha Air non-stop! Called and they even gave us our choice of seating to and from Maui!

We decided to grab air now and not hope to save couple bucks later. Probably wouldn't happen with non-stops to Maui anyway!

ATA is more in the cattle-car category - BIG airplane, small pitch (distance between your seat and the seat in front of you). Check out www.seatguru.com to learn about the seating on the planes of each airline Aloha (like Hawaiian) does treat you more like ohana (family, in Hawaiian) - they are happy you chose them and they do try to make your flight more pleasant, unlike the biggies that go to the Islands (UAL, AA, Delta) to whom you are just another revenue source - and did you notice that UAL is now charging for a second piece of checked luggage!). According to www.itasoftware.com, (which doesn't show ATA), you have two choices direct from OAK to OGG - Aloha and UAL with about about a $12 difference in price (plus that second piece of baggage surcharge). Drive over to SFO, and the price goes up about $300!

Since this post was started both Aloha Air and ATA have gone under!

That sucks because we booked Aloha Air and booked couple days ago on ATA Air so unless Visa comes through we are out $3500 and now Maui trip has been canceled.

UPDATE: Wells Fargo Visa came through on our ATA money and its back in our acct this morning 4/3/2008. We also have one Aloha Air ticket for $596.00 returned to our acct on 4/4/08 and WF still working on last two tickets. At least we are now down from $3500 to $1192.00 in losses.

Now if some how we get lucky and get last two tickets of our Aloha money.I have to give credit to Wells Fargo Banking after hearing all the stories of card companies doing nothing if purchase was more than thirty days.

Also another airline bit the dust friday (AIR BUS) closed.

We took our II offer after canceling Maui Timeshare and booked it back into our own Resort Ridge Tahoe for same date as Hawaii trip was to be.

This way we can leave our July 4th week for rent on Redweek.

UPDATE:(4/10/08 ) Today Wells Fargo did return our last $1192 to our acct so as of now we have all our airline money back.

Bad news and I have no idea how long to see if after all their reviews they recharge our acct all or part of the aprox $3500. I know they have this right!

phill12

phill12 wrote:

phill12 wrote:

ken1193 wrote:

I have flown on both of these airlines in recent years, without any issues or problems in either case. Both are no frills operations, but you're looking for transportation --- NOT A CODDLING SPA EXPERIENCE.

{PHILL12] Ken you never know! A spa sounds good and a massage!

I went ahead and paid more to fly out of Sacramento on Aloha Air non-stop! Called and they even gave us our choice of seating to and from Maui!

We decided to grab air now and not hope to save couple bucks later. Probably wouldn't happen with non-stops to Maui anyway!

Since this post was started both Aloha Air and ATA have gone under!

That sucks because we booked Aloha Air and rebooked couple days ago on ATA Air so unless Visa comes through we are out $3500 and now Maui trip has been canceled.

It is funny how two Hawaii airlines went out in the same week (Aloha & ATA)... What a mess! We are now working on rescheduling flights that we had reserved on ATA. So far, we have been fortunate in that the itinerary included another airline leg other than ATA, which has been helpful in the rescheduling. So far, so good. Anyone, booked on either Aloha or ATA - better start re-scheduling... good luck!